The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Uganda, Dr. Diana Atwine, has announced plans to procure five delivery beds for Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital.
This decision comes after Gorreth Namugga, MP representing Mawogola South, and Deputy chairperson for Public Accounts Committe (PAC), highlighted the dire situation where some mothers were giving birth on the floor due to the absence of delivery beds. Namugga sought permission from the government to procure a delivery bed for the facility.
In her letter dated 12th June 2024, Dr. Atwine acknowledged the issue and stated that Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital is not the only health facility facing this challenge.
She revealed that the Ministry of Health signed a contract on 30th May 2023 for the supply of medical equipment, including delivery beds, which will benefit multiple hospitals, including Entebbe. The hospital is set to receive five new delivery beds soon.
Namugga had earlier written to Dr. Atwine on 10th June 2024, following a Public Accounts Committee meeting on 28th May 2024, where it was noted that Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital lacked delivery beds, despite the standard requirement of at least four for a referral hospital.
Dr. Atwine emphasized the need for increased budget allocations for the hospital, which has been operating on a budget meant for a general hospital since its upgrade to a regional referral hospital in 2018/19. The hospital also faces severe understaffing, with only 15.5% of the required staff for a regional referral hospital.
Namugga commended Dr. Atwine for her prompt response and requested a list of other health facilities that have been upgraded but still operate with inadequate budgets and staffing levels.
She stressed the importance of improving Uganda’s healthcare system to ensure that citizens receive adequate medical care, noting that a healthy population is essential for national development.
Namugga, revealed significant challenges faced by Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, including insufficient staff, inadequate buildings, and a lack of necessary medical equipment and medicines.